Rolex Turn-O-Graph 6202

Important Modern & Vintage Timepiece Geneva, Nov 04, 2023 ROLEX, SWITZERLAND, REF. 6202, MONOMETER, STAINLESS STEEL An extremely rare, historically important, stainless steel, self winding diver's wristwatch Very good Slightly scratched Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense Very good Slightly oxidized HANDS Original Brand Rolex, Switzerland Model monometer Reference 6202 Year 1953 Case No. 949579 Diameter 36 Caliber A260, 19 jewels Signature Dial, Case and movement signed Accessories spare original crystal The Monometer is considered one of the rarest pre-Submariners based on a new reference the 6202 that would become the Turnograph. These were launched almost simultanously alongside some of the earliest Submariners reference 6204 that features some of the same characteristics and also with the unusual Sub-Aqua name. Rolex registers the brand name Mono-Meter in June 1953 and the first examples are released immediately as the caseback indicates a production of III.53. Made in 2 separate versions, one with a honeycomb dial and the other such as this example featuring a regular dial but both have the split name Oyster Perpetual on the dial. These also have a very distinctive bezel only found on these early Monometers with a bezel featuring minute markers all around and the early pencil and lollipop hands. From the known examples below, one can immediately notice how close the case numbers are indicating a very small production (some scholars believe less than one hundred) and probably one of the rarest known pre-Submariners ever made. Unknown to the market, this example was found recently in the UK and has remained untouched from its origin, still featuring the original bezel, hands and an immediate reaction to the Geiger counter. Considering how small the production of these models are, any new example discovered represent an important find and a more than rare opportunity to acquire one of the earliest dive watches produced by Rolex. Known examples of Rolex 6202 Monometer 6202, serial 949477, honeycomb dial, Antiquorum, November 12, 2006, lot 366 6202, serial 949401, regular dial, Antiquorum, March 17, 2013, lot 493 6202, serial 949579, regular dial, current lot 6202, serial 949738, regular dial, Antiquorum, May 11, 2014, lot 270 6202, serial 949742, regular dial, Antiquorum May 9, 2021 6202, serial 949484, honeycomb dial, Phillips, November 12, 2016, lot 49